SC asks K’tk to release 15k cusecs of Cauvery water

In an interim order which may ameliorate the plight of Tamil Nadu farmers to some extent, Supreme Court today asked Karnataka to release 15,000 cusecs of Cauvery water daily for the next 10 days to its neighbouring state.

The apex court also directed Tamil Nadu to approach the Supervisory Committee, set up to implement award of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT), within three days for the release of Cauvery water as per the final order of Tribunal.

“The Supervisory Committee shall pass appropriate direction in this regard within four days from the date of filing of the reference, keeping in view the language employed in the final order of the Tribunal. Be it clarified, the Supervisory Committee is bound by the language used in the order passed by the Tribunal…

“Coming to the immediate arrangement, keeping in view the gesture shown by the State of Karnataka and the plight that has been projected with agony by Mr Naphade, we think it appropriate to direct that 15,000 cusecs of water per day be released at Biligundulu by the State of Karnataka for ten days,” a bench comprising Justices Dipak Misra and U U Lalit said.

It also directed Tamil Nadu to release water to the Union Territory of Puducherry proportionately as per its interim arrangement, while posting the matter for further hearing on September 16.

The order came after senior advocate Fali S Nariman, appearing for Karnataka, said as a “goodwill gesture” the state government was ready to ensure flow of 10,000 cusecs (about 0.86 TMC) per day from September 7 to 12.

However, Tamil Nadu sought release of 20,000 cusecs of water per day instead of 10,000 cusecs of water in the interest of the farmers of the state.

During the hearing, senior advocate Shekhar Naphade, appearing for Tamil Nadu, contended that Karnataka has not been complying with the Tribunal’s directions in the final order and there has been flagrant violation of the same.

He said that if the water is not released by Karnataka, the ‘samba’ crops will be damaged, which will lead to disastrous consequences for the farmers of Tamil Nadu.